Team-by-team interest in Randy Moss

The Vikings officially placed Randy Moss on waivers Tuesday. Teams have until Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET to claim him. Waiver claims are made in inverse order of the current standings, so Buffalo, the team with the worst record in the league, has the first shot to claim Moss. A team can claim him and pick up the final year of a contract that pays him $6.4 million a year. If no one claims him, the Vikings owe him the remaining $3.388 million of his deal and he’s available for about $450,000, with Moss picking the team he would like to join.

AFC EAST

They're 32nd in the order, so there's no point in putting in a claim. If the other 31 teams pass on Moss, the Patriots can re-sign him for significantly less than his current contract would pay.

New York Jets

They would seem unlikely as a landing spot because of a loaded receiving corps with Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, Jerricho Cotchery and tight end Dustin Keller. But they're coming off a game with nine drops and could put in a claim to prevent Moss from returning to the Patriots.

Miami Dolphins

They traded for Brandon Marshall over the offseason, but they're struggling for touchdowns and could use a spark after kicking 10 field goals the past two weeks.

Buffalo Bills

There would seem to be no point to adding a malcontent with a big contract to a team out of the playoff hunt, but the Bills have pole position in the waiver order and can render the rest of the process moot if owner Ralph Wilson gets impulsive.

-- Tim Graham

AFC NORTH

Cincinnati Bengals

Although the trio of Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss would generate a buzz, the Bengals are already out of the playoff hunt. At 2-5, Cincinnati would have to go 8-1 in its last nine games to have a legit shot at the playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens believe in the right player for the right price, and the going rate for Moss is too high for Baltimore.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Receiver is not a position of need and Moss doesn't fit the culture in Pittsburgh. The Steelers rarely make big-money moves during the season.

Cleveland Browns

Strictly from a talent standpoint, the Browns are the division team that can use Moss the most. The Browns have the NFL's worst receiving corps; it lacks experience and talent.

-- James Walker

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

It would be uncharacteristic to shake up the locker room with a controversial personality.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts generally do not bring in high-profile outsiders, and when healthy they are well stocked at receiver.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars can always use another playmaker, but Moss doesn't come cheap and David Garrard doesn't throw well deep.

Tennessee Titans

They passed on him in the 1998 draft and it would be a surprise if they brought him in now.

-- Paul Kuharsky

AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers

No receiving group in the NFL is as banged up as San Diego's unit. But I still don't think this is a fit. Moss is not a Chargers-type player. Plus, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 305 yards Sunday despite playing without his top four receivers.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are 2-6 and really don't need any more potential headaches. Plus, the passing game is a bright spot in Denver. Moss really wouldn't make a huge impact.

Oakland Raiders

There are some members of Raider Nation who want Oakland to claim Moss, if only to block him from going to first-place Kansas City, which visits Oakland on Sunday. Moss would give the banged-up Oakland receiving crew a veteran presence.

Kansas City Chiefs

This is a good fit on paper. He played for Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli in New England, and Moss and Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel worked well together in New England in 2008. Moss would definitely give the Chiefs' offense an added dimension.

-- Bill Williamson

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones has apologized to Randy Moss for not drafting him in 1998, but the Cowboys don't have any openings at wide receiver right now. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are the stars and Roy Williams is paid handsomely.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are stacked at receiver with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant. There's no place for another receiver.

New York Giants

This would make no sense with the Giants rolling with Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham.

Washington Redskins

Mike Shanahan would have a better shot at getting Moss to produce on a weekly basis, but I'm not sure it's worth the risk. You've already had the Albert Haynesworth saga, followed by the Donovan McNabb benching. Isn't that enough drama for one half of the season?

-- Matt Mosley

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

The Bears haven't shown interest in any available veteran receivers over the past two years, and it's hard to imagine that changing now.

Detroit Lions

Moss wouldn't seem to fit the profile for a team building for the long term.

Green Bay Packers

General manager Ted Thompson almost never adds established veteran players. He prefers to develop his own starters via the draft.

Minnesota Vikings

Not happening.

-- Kevin Seifert

NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans is the one NFC South team I could possibly see having an interest in Moss. The Saints have shown a willingness to let guys revive their careers in New Orleans (see Jeremy Shockey and Jonathan Vilma) in the past. Drew Brees owns that locker room and is powerful enough that he wouldn't be pushed around by Moss.

Atlanta Falcons

It might be a little tempting to think about the possibility of giving Matt Ryan one more toy that could truly put the Falcons over the top. But the Falcons already have a great No. 1 receiver in Roddy White and a nice role player in Michael Jenkins.

Carolina Panthers

They might get a shot to claim Moss off waivers, but there's no way the Panthers would touch his contract. They're not spending money and they're firmly committed to their youth movement.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Much like the Panthers, the Bucs aren't spending money and they're in a youth movement. In fact, they're already seeing the benefits of that youth movement with their young wide receivers emerging.

-- Pat Yasinskas

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald grew up around Moss in Minnesota and knows him well. Moss' addition would allow Steve Breaston to work from the slot, giving the Cardinals quite an arsenal.

San Francisco 49ers

Moss would fit very well opposite Michael Crabtree, particularly with Vernon Davis attracting so much attention. But the 49ers have enough headaches this season without adding another one.

Seattle Seahawks

Moss would give the Seahawks something they can't get from any of their other receivers. But if Bill Belichick decided Moss wasn't worth the trouble, Moss probably isn't worth the trouble.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams finally have a good thing going. They don't need a potential malcontent setting a poor example for young receivers and the rest of the team.

SPONSORED HEADLINES

Comments

You must be signed in to post a comment

Need an account?

Already have an account?

You are fully responsible for the content you post. Content that includes profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"), or other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates our terms of use, including removing all content posted by that user.